Texas-Arlington becomes 12th member of Sun Belt conference

Sun Belt Conference concluded its annual meeting Wednesday in Sandestin, Fla., by announcing the addition of Texas-Arlington as its 12th member, pending approval from the University of Texas Board of Regents.

UT-Arlington joins Texas State and Georgia State as recent additions that will begin Sun Belt play in 2013. They will replace departing members Florida International, North Texas and Denver. Denver, which does not play football, is leaving immediately for the Western Athletic Conference, and Florida International and North Texas will join Conference USA in 2013.

"I am pleased to welcome UT-Arlington to our league," Jack Hawkins Jr., Sun Belt Conference president and Troy's chancellor, said in a release. "The Sun Belt Conference has never been stronger athletically, academically or financially, and today's action makes us even stronger. Our goal is to add value to our conference by inviting universities with strong academic and athletic programs that fit our profile and our geographic footprint. UT-Arlington meets these criteria."

Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson said in a teleconference he did not expect the conference to pursue additional members in the near future, and with 10 schools participating in football, the addition of a conference championship game is unlikely.

"To squelch the speculation of a football championship game, it's not high on our priority list," Benson said. "Obviously, there's always a possibility that may be something we consider, but we're focused on the 12 schools that will be members of the Sun Belt a year from now.

"The current structure is right, and the football championship game is not a necessary component."

Benson talked with officials from New Mexico State and Idaho in recent weeks. He said UT-Arlington's proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth area was a factor in the conference's decision to extend an invitation on May 7.

"That was important," Benson said. "It was also important to establish a travel partner for Texas State. It's no secret we were in contact with (Texas-San Antonio) and Louisiana Tech, but UT-Arlington and Texas State have been on our list from the very beginning."

The Sun Belt Conference's executive committee also considered UT-Arlington's enrollment, more than 33,000 this spring, and the university's recent investments in new athletic facilities. UT-Arlington opened College Park Center, a 7,000-seat, $78 million basketball arena, in February.

Beginning in fall 2013, the Sun Belt will be split into two divisions. The West Division will include Arkansas-Little Rock, Arkansas State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, UT-Arlington and Texas State. The East Divison will have Florida Atlantic, Georgia State, Middle Tennessee, South Alabama, Troy and Western Kentucky.

Benson also said Hawkins' term as executive committee president, set to expire this year, was extended a year by the conference's presidents and chancellors.

"Over the past year, and specifically the past two months, Chancellor Hawkins has provided the Sun Belt with strong and effective leadership during this time of conference realignment," Benson said. "I am very pleased that he is willing to serve in this capacity for the coming year, and the Sun Belt is very fortunate to have him in this leadership role."

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